The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-05
Mr.. BEECHER'S SUCCESSOR.
The Advisory Committee of Plymouth Church
Recommends the Calling of Mr.. Berry.

NEW YORK, Nov. 4-The Tribune says: ''It
is virtually settled that the Rev. Charles A.
Berry, of Wolverhampton, England. is to be
called to Plymouth Church, as its pastor. The
advisory committee of the church having charge
of the subject of successor Mr. Beecher,
met last evening and unanimously voted to rec
ommend the selection of Mr.. Berry. While
this does not bind the church, there is little
doubt but that the choice of the committee will
be ratified, inasmuch the sentiment in the
church is strongly set in the direction, SO
strongly, indeed, that the committees action is
virtually dictated by the universally expressed
desire. The remarkable feature of Mr.. Berry's
preaching has been acceptability to ALL and
the action OF the advisory committee is simply a
recognition of the fact that the approval of Mr..
Berry is unanimous and enthusiastic. There is
no divided sentiment. and some of the members
have been almost afraid to let Mr.. Berry get
out of the country without being called. So far
as his pulpit presence and utterances
cerned, the satisfaction of the congregation was
complete. He showed clearly that his thinking
was strongly in the lines and in the direction Of
Mr.. Beechers, while there not the slightest
indication of initiating Mr.. Beecher. Mr.. Berry
is thirty five years old.
Major Pond, in his book giving account OF
Mr.. Beechers lecturing tour in England in
the summer of 1866, writes follows concern
ing the first meeting between Mr. Beecher and
Mr. Berry:
land. The Liverpool Congregational body-a
body which is composed mostly, if not wholly
Of ministers of the Congregational body resi-
dent in Liverpool-gave Mr.. Beecher a recep-
tion at IL A. NJ. the Junior Reform Club
The very much crowded. Several
out-of-town ministers were present. Mr.. Beecher
III
he received, the tender expressions of regard
and acknowledgements of good derived from his
preaching. and last, but not least, with the very
eloquent speech made by the Rev Charles A.
Berry, of Wolverhampton, in proposing a vote
Of thanks
'tAs we drove back to our hotel Mr. Beecher
said that he glad that he had lived to
visit England, and to the fruits of fifty
years teaching. He was inclined to think
that he was better appreciated in England than
at home
''The speech of the Rev. Charles A. Berry
ought to have made you happy, 1 remarked.
:" IF am not mistaken. that young man will
be heard from some day. said Mr.. Beecher. He
has got the right stuff in him.
II had met no other minister in my travels
throughout the country that so favorably i'm
pressed me-simple modest, quiet and with
force of language and logic that drew ono very
near him."
Here is what Mr. Berry said on the occasion
alluded to- II do not know to what l this
invitation from the Chair except that have
cheerfuiv travelled long distance to be present
on LnlS occasion. MOI onsy Will great corOldiitys
but with the accompaniment of feelings too
deep for words do consent to be the spokes-
man of your grateful appreciation Mr.. Beechers
address has been a great Intellectual and spir-
itual inspiration. but TO have seen him and to
have under the magnetic spell of his
creative presence has been even greater boon
to us. The man is more and better than the
speech. To have felt the kindling Influence of
contact with him is stirring inspiration
than merely to have listened co his words. There
men whose simple presence creates
an atmosphere in which it is i'm
possible to think mean thoughts take
narrow views; in which unconsciously
rises to the higher reaches of the mind and
spirit Mr.. Beecher Is one of these men, and, if
/ rightly interpret you through myself,
greatest Indebtedness to-day is for this soul up
lifting of which have been made console US.
But also truly thankful for the address
itself, and especially for that part OF it
in which MIR. Beecher rendered ALSO
lutely clear his relation theology. Some of
did require TO be told that Mr.. Beecher
has never committed himself to position of an
ragonism against theology in the abstract,
but only against those current theoiogies which,
however Inspiring and heroic in their own day,
not now adequate statement OF the truth
as see it. A who thinks on divine things
must perforce think himself into the possession
of q theology. For my own part am not afraid
of the word theology, nor even of systematic
theology. Indeed, in my judgment. the great
need of our broader Christianity is the
structed and stately expression OF itself in a
theology adequate to its visions and hopes-not
for the purpose of authoritative imposition, but
TO stand s a symbol of our progress and to act
as a base of new spiritual structure. No man
in his will deny that Calvinism, as
a system, stands unparalleled for its intellectual
harmony. And whose judgment is
worth considering but will admit that upon Cal